The destructive effects of homosexual relationships are numerous. They lead to depression, sleeping disorders, loss of confidence, feeling of worthlessness, suicidal tendencies, fear, isolation, anxiety, panic, sadness and difficulty in trusting people.

They also lead to the contraction of AIDS, chronic viral infections with herpes and hepatitis B. Gays are afflicted with rare bowel diseases, loss between eight and 20 years of life expectancy and account for half of all syphilis cases.

Lesbians’ health challenges, on the other hand, are associated with chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, hormonal disorders, breast and cervical cancers, smoker-related diseases, suicidal tendencies, irregular or no menstrual cycle, herpes, skin diseases, HIV / AIDS, low self-esteem, depression, drug abuse and alcoholism.

They are less likely to bear children, face the stigmatization of hiding some aspects of their real lives which could result in serious health challenges to them.

What Bible Says

The Bible describes homosexuality as an abomination before God. It is an abomination for a man to lie with a man as with a woman, or a woman to lie with a woman as with a man (Leviticus 18: 22, 20: 13). The Bible says that because of certain abominations such as homosexuality, a land will vomit out its inhabitants. (Lev. 18: 25).

In the Old Testament, those who practised those vices were removed from the congregation of Israel by execution. The Apostle Paul called it “shameful act”, the result of being given up by God to “vile passions”. (Rom. 1:24- 27).

We are also told in the New Testament that those who practise homosexuality will not enter into the Kingdom of God (1Cor. 6: 9- 10). The Apostle Paul shows homosexuality as final order of rebellion against God. When people exchange the truth of God for a lie, and begin to worship the creature instead of the Creator they are given up to evil.

When values are turned upside down and moral anarchy appears, men burn with lust for other men and women burn for women and they will receive in their own bodies the punishment for their actions (Romans.1: 22- 27). From a Bible standpoint, the rise of homosexuality is a sign that a society is in the last stages of decay. Homosexuality is an abomination in the sight of the Lord.

God forbid that we will see our beautiful nation which is hailed as a model for other countries in Africa incur the wrath of God for legalizing homosexuality and lesbianism. Government and its institutions must realize the source of their authority and uphold the Word of God in their decision-making processes.

Religions

In the first place, why should any external entity force an immoral practice on Ghanaians when the three dominant religions of the country, namely Christian, Islamic and Traditional religions frown on the practice?

In fact, in the Traditional religion, it is even a taboo for a man to have a sexual affair with his sister. How then can a sexual relationship between two men be tolerated in Ghana? The belief is that whoever indulges in unnatural sexual affair incurs the wrath of the gods and cannot go unpunished. Therefore, emphasis on moral uprightness cannot be over-emphasised.

Similarly, both Christians who use the Bible and Muslims who use the Qur’an detest homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality and all other unnatural sexual relationships as they breed moral decadence.

The word of God is sacred, and it was given to guide man how he must live in the world. That is why in most countries of the world, presidents are made to swear either by the Bible or Qur’an at their coronation ceremonies. And these two books condemn same sex relationships.

Americans

Americans, in particular, have on their currency an inscription which reads, “IN GOD, WE TRUST and interestingly most of that country’s past presidents made outstanding statements about the uniqueness of the Word of God.

George Washington, who happened to be the first president of the US, said, “The Bible is the best book in the world. It contains more than all the libraries I have seen.” Thomas Jefferson said, “The Bible makes the best people in the world.” The fifth president also said, “The profoundly we study the Bible, the better citizens we will become.”

In Leviticus, 18: 1- 30, we see how God gave man moral laws and registered His displeasure with the shameful act. God stated emphatically that, “You shall not lie with a male as a woman. It is an abomination (Leviticus 18: 22).

Is it proper for a nation to work hard to industrialise, create wealth and eventually lose its sense of moral wisdom and discernment? We, Ghanaians, are a blessed people. We cherish the peace we have with God greatly, and we cannot compromise or exchange it with the wrath of God.